Young drivers call for a driving test overhaul

• New report from the Co-op Insurance ‘Young people in the driving seat’ provides striking snapshot of the challenges facing young drivers in 2016
• Over two fifths of young drivers in Wales and the South West didn’t feel prepared to drive after passing their test
• Three quarters want motorway driving adding to the driving test
• Nationally, two-fifths of young drivers admit to dangerous habits behind the wheel
• Young drivers in Hull are the safest in the UK  and those in Redhill the most dangerous

A new study from the Co-operative Insurance has found that over two fifths (44%) of young drivers in Wales and the South West don’t believe that the driving test is fit for purpose as it doesn’t fully prepare them for driving after passing their driving test*.

The report, ’Young people in the driving seat’ is based on data held by the Co-op Insurance from over 60,000 young drivers and which questioned 1,000 young drivers aged 17-25.

And despite being a rite of passage for over 6 million drivers** over the last decade, when asked about the test itself young drivers are clear – changes do need to be made.

With over two thousand miles of motorway in the UK*** perhaps it is rational that the main addition of motorway driving to the test is the most popular change with three quarters (77%) of young  drivers in Wales and the South West calling for its inclusion. Over half (56%) want to see both day and night time driving on the test and over two fifths (47%) are calling for a mandatory number of lessons before you can even take a test.

With the driving test now in its 81st year, the report findings have shown just how much driving has moved on in the UK. Over a third (39%) of 17-25 year old drivers are now calling for Sat Nav training to be included in the driving test.

Often young drivers are perceived as being dangerous drivers, however, nationally across the UK, the overwhelming majority (98%) of 17-25 year olds questioned think that they are safe drivers, with 42% of these classing their driving as very safe. That said, when asked to rate their peers driving 70% agree with the generalisation that young people are more dangerous than other age groups.

Nationally however, two-fifths (40%) admit to dangerous behaviour at the wheel. This includes including driving when tired (28%), breaking the speed limit (24%) and cornering too fast (17%). Male drivers aged 17-25 (43%) are more likely to display these behaviours than females (39%) of the same age.

The Co-operative Insurance was the first mainstream insurer to bring telematics ‘pay how you drive’ insurance to the market five years ago. According to exclusive data from the insurer, looking at the driving behaviours of tens of thousands of 17-25 year olds –  the UK’s best young drivers are found in Hull, York and Cambridge – this is based on how much their driving score has improved. However the data also shows that the ‘worst’ young drivers are in Redhill, Halifax and Medway (Rochester) – based on how much their driving score has deteriorated.

Nationally, young male drivers are more likely to carry passengers (25%), in comparison to females (21%). Drivers in the South East and London prefer passengers (31%), with those in the North of England more likely to drive alone.

Young drivers who prefer to have passengers, say they do so because they like having company (72%), they feel safer having somebody in the car (47%), they like having moral support (40%).However the type of passenger does hugely affect the driving style of young people.

With friends in the car young drivers are more likely to…

• Drive in excess of the speed limit (12%)
• Weave in between lanes (8%)
• Accelerate fast (17%)
• Brake sharply (10%)
• Go round corners too fast (10%)
• Shout at people out of the car window (14%)
• Drive erratically (9%)
• Play the radio loudly (42%)
• Run red lights (6%)
• Eat, drink and smoke (17%)

In comparison, 39% of young drivers are less likely to speed when they have family members in the car with them or accelerate fast.

James Hillon, Director of Products at the Co-operative Insurance, said: “Newly qualified drivers today are facing busier road conditions than any other generation.

“It’s extremely important for road safety that anyone who passes their driving test, regardless of age, feels comfortable and equipped to drive on the roads unsupervised. It is no secret that errors made on the roads unfortunately can have catastrophic consequences for road users and communities.

“Insurers have a key role to play in keeping the UK’s roads safe with telematics technology playing an important part in this.

“At the Co-op we believe that educating people about their own driving styles and where improvements can be made is an invaluable tool in combating bad driving behaviours. This month marks five years of us bringing telematics insurance which prices on how people drive to the market, which has enabled us to show young people how they are actually driving, and give pointers on improvements that can be made.”

Sarah-Jane Martin, spokesperson for Brake, the road safety charity said: “Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people in the UK and worldwide. The research by the Co-op shows that young people agree that the driving test isn’t up to scratch and doesn’t prepare them adequately. We know that young drivers are much more at risk of being involved in a road crash that causes death or serious injury than older drivers. That’s why we’re calling for Graduated Driving Licences to be introduced for new drivers.  They have proven successful in other countries, and it’s an obvious way to make our roads safer, preventing many deaths and injuries in the process. We need our government to sit up and take note in order to protect our young people.”